Daily Archives: June 8, 2015

The past few weeks have allowed us a glimpse into the heavily politicized world of trade politics. Last month, the Senate narrowly passed the undemocratic “Fast Track” trade promotion authority. Now the trade fight is headed to the House.

We, as people of faith, have an opportunity to reframe the debate to ensure that marginalized communities and God’s earth are at the center of U.S. trade policies. With negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership nearly complete, corporate interests have trumped any form of public participation. As a result, access to medicines, good jobs, food security, and environmental protections are all in jeopardy.

Join the Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment to hear a play-by-play on the Senate vote and the latest on the House fight. Learn what small actions you can take back home that can have a big impact on the global economy. Sign up here.

Georgetown University and Georgetown University’s Board of Directors passed a resolution announcing the end to direct investments of endowment funds in companies whose principal business is mining coal for use in energy production.

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 4, 2015, the Board of Directors of Georgetown University passed a resolution stating that the university will not make or continue any direct investments of endowment funds in companies whose principal business is mining coal for use in energy production.

“The work of understanding and responding to the demands of climate change is urgent and complex,” said John J. DeGioia, Ph.D., president of Georgetown University in a university statement. DeGioia continued, “It requires our most serious attention. As a university community, we can best respond to this evolving and ongoing challenge when we acknowledge the tensions embedded in this work – and the variety of perspectives that are present in this moment.”

This announcement comes from Georgetown as another Jesuit university is considering a call from faculty to divest from fossil fuel related industries. Earlier this year over 200 Loyola University Chicago faculty members expressed their support of the movement to divest led by Loyola president Rev. Michael Garanzini, S.J. The issue will be addressed by university administrators and the board of directors in the coming weeks.

Faith communities concerns for extractive in- dustry in Latin America. This short video aims to raise consciousness on the negative effects of the mining in- dustry in Latin America. It shows the necessity for faith communities to commit themselves in defense of those suffering the negative effects of extractive industry, defend land, water and nature. The video can be used for pastoral animation with local communities but also in dialogue with parties responsible in the area of mining. —Contributed by the Comboni Family